Cost Controller

Legendre; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Pension scheme

30 days Annual Leave + Bank Holiday

Profit Shared Schemes

Personalised Induction Plan

Training & Mentoring

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

An international construction company is seeking a proactive Cost Controller to oversee financial monitoring and cost management in the UK and abroad. Candidates should have experience in cost control within construction, excellent analytical skills, and fluency in English and French. This role involves tracking project costs, preparing budgets, and ensuring compliance with financial policies, offering an opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with great benefits including private medical insurance and a pension scheme.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in cost control or financial management, ideally in construction or engineering.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and cost-monitoring principles.
• Highly skilled communicator, able to collaborate effectively with teams.
• Fluency in English and French (advanced level) is required.
• Organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Track and monitor project costs throughout all phases.
• Prepare cost control files and financial spreadsheets.
• Assist in preparing overhead, project, and company budgets.
• Monitor payments from clients and subcontractors to ensure deadlines are met.
• Oversee cost allocations, reimbursements and post-completion reconciliation.
• Support budgeting of overhead, project, and company costs and review forecasts monthly.
• Maintain accurate cost records to support timely decision-making and reporting.

Skills

Cost control experience

Budgeting and forecasting

Analytical skills

Fluency in English and French

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in Finance or related field

Tools

Financial or ERP software

Job description

Cost Controller

Join to apply for the Cost Controller role at Legendre.

Are you a detail‑driven finance professional looking to bring your expertise to international construction projects? We are seeking a highly proactive and autonomous Cost Controller to oversee financial monitoring and cost management across multiple construction projects in the UK, Channel Islands (Jersey & Guernsey) and Switzerland. This standalone role will work closely with project leads and senior management to drive financial accountability, compliance and performance. You will also collaborate with support functions including accounting and HR to ensure seamless financial operations and reporting. The ideal candidate will be hands‑on, entrepreneurial and confident working across international jurisdictions. The role is based in London but requires travel to France, the Channel Islands and Switzerland, with a few weeks based in Rennes, France (HQ).

Responsibilities

• Cost Control & Monitoring
• Track and monitor project costs throughout all phases of the project lifecycle, working closely with Project Leads.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive cost control files, reports, and financial spreadsheets.
• Support Project Managers and Directors in analysing cost variances and identifying corrective actions.
• Monitor client and subcontractor payments to ensure deadlines are met.
• Oversee post‑completion financial reconciliation and head office cost allocations.
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Assist in the preparation of overhead, project, and company budgets.
• Conduct monthly reviews of financial forecasts, analysing trends and variances.
• Reporting & Analysis
• Prepare and maintain the monthly Business Unit Dashboard.
• Ensure accurate and timely cost records to support effective decision‑making.
• Oversee performance bond tracking (setup and release), project insurance, and related documentation.
• Compliance & Documentation
• Ensure adherence to company financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Represent the international business unit at Group level meetings.
• Adapt financial processes to meet local legal and business requirements.
• Finance Systems
• Ensure accurate and up‑to‑date data entry within financial software systems.
• Act as the main point of contact for expense software queries and user support.
• Gather feedback and contribute to continuous improvement of financial tools and systems.
• Accounting & Banking
• Monitor key cash flow indicators and proactively support improvement initiatives.
• Liaise closely with the international accounting team to ensure alignment, accuracy, and compliance.

Qualifications

You have proven experience in cost control or financial management, ideally within the construction or engineering industry.

Asset Skills

• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and cost‑monitoring principles.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret and explain complex data clearly.
• Highly skilled communicator, able to collaborate effectively with Project Leads, Senior Management and cross‑functional teams.
• Fluency in English and French (advanced level) is required.
• Strong attention to detail, with a proactive and solutions‑driven approach.
• Organised, results‑oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• A degree in Finance or a related field.
• Experience with financial or ERP software systems is an advantage.

Future Working Environment

The London head office is based near Chancery Lane tube station. This lively neighbourhood gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy the London experience.

Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance & Life Insurance
• Pension scheme
• 30 days Annual Leave + Bank Holiday
• Profit Shared Schemes
• Personalised Induction Plan (1:1 meetings with your colleagues, an induction day in France etc.)
• Training & Mentoring
• The opportunity to develop and progress in a varied and agile construction business
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Volunteering activities, Group travels and more

Next Steps

• Your profile is selected. The HR team will contact you to discuss your experience, the role and the company.
• You might be invited to an interview with HR and Julien Lemetayer.
• When possible, you will meet your future colleagues for informal chats.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Legendre UK is committed to being a place where everyone has a voice and feels they belong. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. Making Legendre UK a diverse and inclusive place to work is a huge priority for us.